 Tha Blue Herb - Mirai wa oira no te no naka [Blue Herb Records - 2003]One year of silence for Tha Blue Herb. Way too long if you ask me. Of course, in the meantime we had records from their other projects, Herbest Moon, Shigam and O.N.O (all reviewed or to be reviewed here). But it was high time that the great TBH released some new material. Mirai wa oira no te no naka (the future is in our hands) is their latest single. I don’t think it is a particularly good idea to review singles, especially when they only feature one track and an instrumental version as b-side. But when the track is as good as this one, I throw all my principles in the dustbin. Sell our soul (review here) was really impressive. A mix of chaotic beats, traditional instruments, great ambience, dope lyrics... Most definitely one of the best albums of 2002. The Future is in our hands builds up on the S.O.S. sound and refines it. Musically, we’ve almost left the “normal” hiphop territories. While there is here and there some hiphop beats, the song ventures to electronica, sending into oblivion any –and I really do mean any- so-called progressive/intelligent/abstract hiphop tunes I’ve heard in 2003. O.N.O shows once more that he is a master producer. The instrumental version validates my point. What does guarantee the hiphop anchoring of The future is in our hands is Boss The MC (aka Ill-Bosstino). His rapping is top-notch. Chilled-out, fast (but not furious), very emotional. Even if you don’t understand Japanese -and if you’re not reading the translation that comes with the CD-, he will make you feel what he wants you to feel like. At first the lyrics are gloomy, the song title seems to be ironic. Towards the end though, the sky brightens up (and this can be heard in the music I think), there IS a future and it lies in their hands... “Someday we will all meet”. I hope so as much as I am waiting for some new TBH stuff. With more than just one song. Thumbs up for this one though.    François Monti
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